Australian 500cc motorcycle racer Mark Willis will race a machine leased from Americanmultiple world champion rider turned team owner Kenny Roberts when the world championship resumes next weekend.

Willis rents a ride while Mick bides his time

Australian 500cc motorcycle racer Mark Willis will race a machine leased from Americanmultiple world champion rider turned team owner Kenny Roberts when the world championship resumes next weekend.

The New Zealand-built BSL bike 23-year-old Willis (pictured), from Narrabri in northern NSW, had hoped to ride is still not race-ready.

He said BSL had leased one of the Modenas KR3 machines, built by Roberts with Malaysian funding, for the next three races - the Czech Republic GP at Brno next weekend, the San Marino GP in Italy on September 5 and the Valencia GP at a new track in southern Spain on September 19.

Willis hinted that he may still be aboard the Modenas rather than the BSL at the Qantas Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Victoria's Phillip Island circuit on October 3.

"The BSL is still undergoing some testing in New Zealand, so until it is ready we will be racing a Modenas - which is a three-cylinder bike somewhat like the BSL," Willis said.

"At this stage we will probably use the Modenas at Phillip Island as well, but that is not confirmed yet.

"Riding the Modenas in the next few races will be a good opportunity for me to gain some valuable racing miles before Phillip Island. I am really looking forward to it."

Willis made his 500cc debut at last year's Australian GP aboard a factory Suzuki, scoring two world championship points by finishing 14th.

He has already raced a Modenas in two rounds this season and a Honda V-twin at another because of the teething troubles with the BSL.

Willis said he had spent the past month's break in the championship working hard on his fitness.

Meanwhile, as reported last week, Australia's five-time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan has postponed his return to racing, which had been expected next weekend, to give him moretime to recover from the multiple injuries he suffered in May.

Australia's other 500cc rider is Garry McCoy, of Camden near Sydney, while Gold Coast teenager Anthony West is racing in the 250cc championship.

Wildcard riders for the Australian Grand Prix are expected to be named soon, organisers in Melbourne said this week.